Australia is a popular choice for international students who want to graduate from a top university with a globally recognised qualification. From world-renowned courses to welcoming communities and a fun student lifestyle, Australia has a lot to offer students.
If an Australian university is on your list of goals, you will need to take an IELTS test to meet visa and university application requirements. The International English Language Testing System, also known as IELTS, is the world’s most trusted English test.
Consider how IELTS can put you on the path to success as a student in Australia.
Why IELTS for Australia?
IELTS is accepted by all universities in Australia, making it the ideal English language test to meet requirements. Depending on whether you plan to work or study in Australia, you can take IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. Confirm with the institution you have applied to study at which test you should take.
IELTS tests your skills in English Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. When you share your IELTS results with universities, they will have full confidence in your ability to study in English and thrive at an English-speaking institution.
What are IELTS band score requirements?
A band score is given for each section of the IELTS test and those scores are averaged to produce an overall band score. To be able to apply for an Australian visa, you need to score a minimum of 7 in each section of IELTS. Read more on the Australian Home Affairs website.
An IELTS band score of 7 means the test taker can generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. Read more about what the different IELTS band scores mean here.
Keeping in mind the IELTS band score requirements for your visa, you should also check what the minimum requirements are for the university you intend to apply to and the course you plan to study. If you want to study medicine at an institution like the University of Melbourne, an IELTS score of 7.0 is also required across all sections of the test. For an undergraduate degree in education at the University of New South Wales, a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 is required.
Preparing for IELTS
Make sure you set aside enough time to study for your IELTS test so you can get the band score you need to meet requirements and achieve your goals. When you take IELTS with the British Council, you can access our most comprehensive IELTS preparation course, worth $170, for free. IELTS Ready Premium was developed by experts to help test takers get their desired band scores. The course includes tools to create a personalised study plan, interactive exercises, tutorial videos, practice tests for every section of IELTS and feedback on your progress.
What if you don’t meet the minimum band score requirements?
The British Council offers One Skill Retake. If you need to improve your IELTS score in one section, you can retake just that section without repeating the entire test. One Skill Retake is accepted in Australia, as long as you retake the relevant sections within 60 days of your original test.
Register for IELTS today and get support in your journey from the British Council. Go further with IELTS and achieve your goals as a student abroad.